Device for threading plugs through punctures in tires



Feb. 3, 1959' E. E. TILLMAN DEVICE FOR THREADING PLUGS THROUGH PUNCTURES IN TIRES Filed Jan. 17, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

EDWIN ETILLMAN ATTORNEY 1959 E. E. TILLMAN 2,871,

DEVICE FOR THREAD ING PLUGS THROUGH PUNCTURES IN TIRES' Filed Jan. 17, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDWIN E. TILLMAN ATTORNEY Un d States at I DEVICE FOR THREADING PLUGS THROUGH PUNCTURES IN TIRES Edwin E. Tillman, Miami, Fla., assignor to Triple Seal Corporation, Coral Gables, Fla., a corporation. of Florida Application January 17, 1955, Serial No. 482,368 l Claim. c1. s1-1s.7

This invention relates generally to devices for repairing punctures in .tires but is more particularly directed provision of a device for sealing punctures in tubeless 1 tires as described above and which is provided with an insertion tool that prevents the enlargement of the puncture as the rseilient plug is being positioned in the puncture to seal same. I p

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a tubeless tire puncture seal characterized as above which device seals the puncture in three positions, namely along the side walls of the puncture by the stem of the seal, at the inner portion of the tire along the inner lining by an arcuate cap or head portion, and at the outer portion of the tire by the free end of the stem which forms a. cap over the outer end of the puncture.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a tubeless tire showing a puncture sealing plug being positioned in a puncture by an insertion tool.

Figure 2 is a side view thereof.

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2 with the insertion tool shown pulled part way through the puncture.

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the resilient plug in its sealing position in the puncture.

Figure 5 is a similar view with the excess portion of the plug stem sheared ofi.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 with a puncture in the tubeless tire shown between the treads.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view of av resilient plug or rivet.

Figure Sis an elevational view of an insertion tool prior to its handle being formed. 1

Figure 9 is a similar view of a modified form of an insertion tool. 1

Referring to the drawings wherein likenumerals are used to designate similar parts throughout the several views, the numeral 10 refers to a'conventional tubeless tire shown in section having a hole'or puncture 11 which 2,871,742 ramm d Feb. s, 1959 2 v is to be sealed by a plug or rivet 12 with the assistance of an insertion tool or spring wire leader 13 as is explained in detail hereinafter.

The rivet 12 which-is made of a resilient material such as rubber, plastic and the like consists of a head portion 14 which is rounded at its top portion and flat as at 15 along its lower surface with a stem 16 attached to the head portion 14 at the lower surface 15 at substantially right angle thereto, the juncture of the lower surface 15 and the stem 16 being a'rcuate as at 17. The stem 16 is of constant diameter substantially along its full length to a point 32 where the stem decreases in diameter as at 31 and terminates in a rounded end portion 33. The stem 16 is of relatively greater length than the thickness of the tread 18, bottom wall 19 and inner liner 28 of the tubeless tire 10.

Means are provided for the insertion of the rivet 12 in the hole 11 of the tubeless tire 10 comprising the insertion tool 13 made of a length of spring wire bent at its midportion as at 30 and folded down on itself to form a pair of parallel leg portions 20 and 21. The upper portion of the wire leader 13 is bent outwardly to form a pair of shoulders 22, 22 and 23, 23; the shoulders 23, 23 extending outwardly a greater distance than the shoulders 22, 22. The distance between the shoulders 22, 22 is approximately equal to the diameter of the stem 31 of the rivet 14. As shown by Figure 9, the upper portion of the wire leader 13 may be of an arcuate shape rather than diamond shape since the results obtained are the same in either instance. In this modification the upper portion 24 is approximately circular having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the stem 31 of the plug 12. The leg portions 20, 21 of the insertion tools 13 are now wound on each other from the foot of the lower diamond shape formed by the shoulders 23, 23 as at 34 to the .lower ends of the leg portions 29, 21.

In the normal application of the plug or rivet 12 in a hole or puncture in a tubeless tire, the insertion tool 13 is placed into position over the stem 16 of the rivet the puncture 11.

12 whereby the shoulders 22, 22 encircle the stem 16.

' Then a lubricant is applied over the stem 31, 16 of the rivet 12 and at the puncture 11 of the tire 14). The free end of the insertion tool 13 is placed into the puncture 11 and pushed therethrough until it emerges on the outside of the tire as shown by Figures 1 and 2. Then while the lubricant is still wet, the free ends 20, 21 of the insertion tool 13 is gripped with pliers and with a quick firm yank, the insertion tool 13 is first pulled through the hole 11 and the stem 16 is then pulled through the hole 11 causing the insertion tool 13 to slip off the end of the stem 16 with the lower surface 15 of the head 14 in tight contact relation with the liner 28 of the tubeless tire 10. As shown by Figure 3 while the insertion tool is being pulled through the hole 11 of the tubeless tire, the shoulders 23, 23 are compressed together (see Figure 3) thereby preventing the hole 11 from becoming enlarged and also causing the opening between the shoulders 22, 22 to become smaller as they pass through This last mentioned action likewise prevents the insertion tool 13 from enlarging the puncture 11, and also permits the tool 13 to compress the stem 16 and thereby have a stronger grip on the stem 16. The force being applied to pull the insertion tool 13 through the puncture 11 is continued until the lower wall 15 of the plug 12 is brought into contact with the inner lining 28 of the tubeless tire 10 and becomes firmly seated thereon while the stem 16 in a doubled condition is pulled through the puncture .11. Then as the stem 16 streches until the end portion 33 is free of the hole 11, the insertion tool slips 01f the stem 16 and is freed thereof. Since the stem 16 is no longer under tension, the stem 16 attempts to resume its normal shape and position whereby the puncture 11 becomes tightly sealed by the stem 16, the stem 16 taking the shape of the puncture 11 and exerting an outward pressure or force in a direction of the side walls of the puncture 11 to seal the hole 11 thereby. The stem 16 is then cut with scissors or shears a slight distance below the'level of the tread 18. That portion of the stem 16 which is 'free of the puncture 11 and beyond'the tread 18 is expanded.

to approximately its normal size and forms a head overlapping the outer edges of the puncture 11 to assure a seal of that portion of the puncture 11. Also, in the event the tire 10 is caused to skid at the position of the stem 16, a force will be exerted by the pavement pulling on the stem 16 to bring the head 14 into tighter and closer engagement with the inner liner 19 of the tubeless tire 10.

As shown by Figure 6 if the puncture occurs in the tubeless tire between the treads 18 as at 26, the stem 16 will tend to resume its normal and unstretched condition and will expand to fill the puncture as well as the space 26 between the treads 18. The seal is effected by the stem 16 exerting a yielding pressure outwardly against the side walls of the puncture in the bottom wall 19 of the tubeless tire 10.

Having described by invention, what I claim as new is:

A tool for inserting a plug in a puncture in the repair of tubeless tires comprising a spring wire member bent at substantially its mid-portion to form a pair of leg portions, each of said leg portions being wound upon the other extending from intermediate its end portions to one end of said leg portions whereby a handle is formed for manipulating said tool in inserting said tool in said puncture, said leg portions extending angularly away from each other at their intermediate portion for a distance and then extending in a substantially similar but reverse angular direction toward each other to form a pair of outwardly directed shoulder means, said leg portions extending again angularly away from each other for a shorter distance than said first mentioned distance to form opposed inwardly directed shoulders and then extending again toward each other and being integrally joined at said mid-portion of the wire, so as to form a small loop at the other end of said leg portions adjacent said opposed shoulders for engaging said plug securely as said outwardly directed shoulder means become compressed upon the threading of said tool through said puncture whereby said plug may become properly seated in said puncture upon the pulling of said tool therethrough.

References Cited in the file of this patent Pfeilfer Feb. 9, 1954 

